Poker in Italy gaining ground despite government
legislation
Not long ago, the Italian government announced legislation that was
meant to discourage online poker play and to punish Internet providers
who allowed online poker sties to their clients. It appears that many
Italians are carrying on their poker loving ways, though, and that poker
is becoming more popular in Italy than ever before. Poker is being
watched even more on Italian television, and Italian television stations
are beginning to air American tournaments in addition to European ones.
The World Poker Tour first aired on Sports Italia, after which the
World Series of Poker and the European Poker Tour aired on the same
channel. Italian poker fans can add one more event to their schedule, as
Sky will be adding the Ultimate poker Challenge to its lineup of poker
events (Sky also broadcasts WSOP and the EPT).
Online poker is also gaining ground in Italy. The first official Italian
based poker site opened three months ago, entitled pokerdassi.com, in
English “Four Aces”. A few days ago, the site hit the 1,000 subscribers
mark, with 90% of those subscribers being Italians. Delegations from
countries outside of the United States of America can often be seen at
the big poker events in America, do not be surprised to see a group of
people representing Italy this year at the World Series of Poker, in
addition to French, Swedish, and English.
Some Italians are already making a name for themselves in the world’s
gambling Mecca. Las Vegas based players include Max "Italian Pirate"
Pescatori (who is also a columnist for Cardplayer magazine), Marco
Traniello (husband of the great Jennifer Harman); world travelers Jeff
"Freak" Lisandro (Australian/Italian), Walter Farina (the only Italian
to have a WSOP bracelet) and Italian residents Luca "Pretty Boy" Pagano
and Robert "Dartagnan" Binelli.
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